25-10-2023 (BEIJING) California Governor Gavin Newsom met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in Beijing, marking a significant step towards improving U.S.-China relations amid mounting geopolitical tensions.
The visit by the Democratic governor, ostensibly centered on climate change, aligns with California’s prominent role in pioneering emission reduction policies. While climate change and subnational cooperation have been the primary focus of the governor’s visit, it is expected to facilitate a meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, scheduled to take place in San Francisco next month, Newsom’s hometown.
Xi Jinping’s recent meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken in June and several senators earlier this month, signal China’s willingness to engage in discussions. Additionally, Blinken announced on Monday that he would host Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, in Washington on Thursday.
The timing of Newsom’s visit has been noteworthy, as it followed his trip to Israel, where he met with war victims and leaders. President Biden had pledged military support to Israel during its bombing of Gaza, while China had called for a cease-fire and advocated a two-state solution.
Geopolitical tensions between the United States and China have been evident, notably with the breakdown of climate negotiations at the national level in February. Furthermore, John Kerry’s efforts to reach a new climate agreement during his meetings with Xi in July were unsuccessful. In a speech during the same week as Kerry’s visit, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to pursuing its own path to achieve emission reduction goals, emphasizing that it would not be influenced by external factors.
Throughout his stops in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and now Beijing, Governor Newsom has carried on the legacy of his predecessor, former California Governor Jerry Brown, by prioritizing progress and cooperation on climate change. California and China, as two of the world’s largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, have been at the forefront of discussions on climate policy and technology sharing.
Newsom’s diplomatic approach has steered clear of contentious issues between the two nations, such as trade disputes, China’s stance on Taiwan, and its alignment with Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
.@GavinNewsom sits with China’s President Xi for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. @CAgovernor is the first Governor to visit China since 2019. pic.twitter.com/ivkhMzIPij
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) October 25, 2023
